Written by Ben McCue, Executive Director, Outdoor OutreachAt Outdoor Outreach, we believe that outdoor experiences with friends and family can be transformative.In light of the current health crisis and economic recession, our work is more critical than ever before.Last month, I joined our Programs team at an event in collaboration with Barrio Logan College Institute, […]
The outdoors are a transformative space…But it’s one that many people don’t get to experience. Under-resourced communities and communities of color have always faced barriers to outdoor access, from the high cost of gear and entry fees, to a lack of green spaces in their neighborhoods, to a general feeling that they don’t belong there. Zahan […]
Program Graduate receives Outdoor Retailer Inspiration AwardOutdoor Outreach Leadership Program graduate, Tatianna Butte, has an especially inspiring story of personal resilience that she connects to her healing experiences in the outdoors.Tati was a participant with our 2019 Leadership Program cohort and has since grown into a fierce advocate for increased outdoor access for diverse youth, […]
“No one could have predicted how the Leadership Program would change within the first week…”On March 10, 2020, 12 teens walked through our doors for Day one of our Spring Leadership Program. They would be the first group to participate in the program outside of our traditional summer schedule. I remember the feeling in the […]
One of the most important skills of outdoor leadership is the ability to adapt and respond to unexpected challenges. Outdoor programs are dynamic! Changes in weather, poor trail conditions, gear problems—these are all standard variables in the field instructor’s playbook. But global pandemics?…maybe I missed that chapter.Over the last two months, the COVID-19 crisis has […]
Chris Li on Serving as a Role ModelWhat was your first Outdoor Outreach volunteer outing?Mountain biking with O’Farrell High School in January of 2020–we had a blast biking around Imperial Beach. Why did you choose to volunteer with Outdoor Outreach? Outdoor Outreach has allowed me to have a positive effect on my community by serving as a […]
Select San Diego Parks to Reopen This WeekBeach and bay access possible by the end of the month After weeks of closures, Mayor Faulconer has announced that neighborhood parks will reopen on Tuesday, April 21st. According to the San Diego Union Tribune, “Mayor Faulconer said there still will be many restrictions on neighborhood parks when they reopen. […]
Erika Daley on Finding Courage in the WaterWhat was your first Outdoor Outreach volunteer outing?Kayaking at Mission Bay in spring 2018. Why did you choose to volunteer with Outdoor Outreach? *Connecting youth to the transformative power of the outdoors truly resonated with the work I wanted to contribute to in my community. I spend most of […]
Franco Saavedra on experiencing his “heart smiling”Franco has volunteered with Outdoor Outreach since June 2019. Working primarily with our high-impact programs through Rady Children’s Hospital and San Diego County Program Department, he has already become a huge asset to the OO team!Franco knows that connecting with nature can have a profound impact on one’s life, […]
A Q&A with Outdoor Outreach volunteer Danielle HarveyWhat was your first Outdoor Outreach volunteer outing?I volunteered for a mountain biking trip a few months ago.Why did you choose to volunteer with Outdoor Outreach? I love to be outdoors, I know the power and benefits of connecting with nature, and there are many kids in San Diego […]
